Ginger-PD: Ginger as a Modifier of Ghrelin Levels and Gut Function in Parkinson's Disease

This study will test whether taking ginger supplements can increase ghrelin, a hunger hormone that is decreased in the blood of people with Parkinson's disease (PD) and REM Sleep Behaviour disorder (RBD). Three groups of participants are taking part: 1. People with Parkinson's disease (PD); 2. People with REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder (RBD); 3. Healthy people of similar age and sex. We aim to include 24 participants per group. Each participant will take ginger capsules for 12 weeks at one of two dose levels (0.24g or 0.48g of ginger root extract supplement) allocated at random. The main goal is to find out whether ginger causes a dose-related increase in blood ghrelin levels. Secondary goals are to explore whether ginger: 1. reduces levels of inflammation in the blood 2. improves gut symptoms including constipation 3. is well tolerabled in people with Parkinons's If the study shows that ginger increases ghrelin levels, it will provide important early evidence to support a future larger clinical trial to determine whether ginger supplements could help slow or modify Parkinson's disease by increasing blood ghrelin levels.

People with PD * 55 years of age or above; * Meet Movement Disorder Society criteria for Idiopathic PD People with RBD * 55 years of age or above; * RBD diagnosis confirmed by polysomnography; * Prodromal PD probability score of 80% or above on the Movement Disorders Society calculator. Controls • 55 years of age or above.